NASA's KEPLER PHOTON Phase C/D contract awarded to Ball Aerospace for $174M, extending R&D efforts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $173,984,047 ($174.0M)
Contractor: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-12-10
End Date: 2009-05-11
Contract Duration: 1,613 days
Daily Burn Rate: $107.9K/day
Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: KEPLER PHOTON; PHASE C/D
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $174.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP. for work described as: KEPLER PHOTON; PHASE C/D Key points: 1. Contract Value: $174 million for a significant R&D project. 2. Competition: Follow-on to a competed action, suggesting prior competition. 3. Risk: Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed. 4. Sector: Heavily focused on Research and Development in physical sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $174M for a multi-year R&D project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar complex scientific instrument development contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract is a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION', indicating that the initial award was competed. However, the specifics of this follow-on's competition method are not detailed, impacting price discovery assessment.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is tied to the effectiveness and efficiency of the R&D conducted, aiming for scientific advancement rather than direct consumer benefit.
Public Impact
Advancement of space-based scientific research through advanced optics. Potential for new discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics. Development of cutting-edge technology with potential spin-off applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- CPIF contract type can incentivize cost growth.
- Long duration increases risk of scope creep or technological obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Follow-on to a competed action suggests initial competitive pricing.
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission for scientific discovery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for scientific instruments. NASA's R&D spending often involves high-risk, high-reward projects with significant technological development.
Small Business Impact
No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Larger, complex R&D projects may involve prime contractors subcontracting to various specialized firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms for research and development projects. Accountability would be tied to project milestones and scientific outcomes.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPIF structure.
- Risk of schedule delays in long-term R&D projects.
- Technological obsolescence over the project's duration.
- Uncertainty in achieving groundbreaking scientific results.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $174.0 million to BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.. KEPLER PHOTON; PHASE C/D
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $174.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-10. End: 2009-05-11.
What was the competitive landscape for the initial award that this contract is a follow-on to?
The data indicates this is a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION', suggesting the original contract was subject to a competitive bidding process. Understanding the number of bidders and the rationale for selecting the incumbent would provide insight into the initial price discovery and overall value.
How effectively are cost incentives structured within the CPIF contract to manage potential cost overruns?
The Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure aims to balance contractor profit with cost control by sharing savings or overruns. The specific incentive targets and sharing ratios are crucial for assessing how well this contract is designed to prevent excessive spending while encouraging efficient performance.
What are the key performance indicators and success metrics for the KEPLER PHOTON Phase C/D project?
Success metrics for R&D projects like KEPLER PHOTON typically involve achieving specific technological capabilities, meeting performance specifications for scientific instruments, and ultimately contributing to scientific discovery. Clear, measurable KPIs are essential for evaluating the project's effectiveness and the value delivered to taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $174,434,920
Exercised Options: $174,434,920
Current Obligation: $173,984,047
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-10
Current End Date: 2009-05-11
Potential End Date: 2009-05-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-09-09
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